MANCHESTER, N.H. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — May 21, 2012 —
FIRST®
(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a
not-for-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire
young people’s interest and participation in science and technology,
announced that Graduation Grants will be issued to FIRST robotics
teams continuing their participation in the FIRST family of
robotics programs. FIRST, in cooperation with The LEGO® Foundation
and LEGO® Education, will provide a total of $250,000 in
grants to fund newly formed
FIRST®
Tech Challenge (FTC®) teams that include graduates
from
FIRST®LEGO® League (FLL®) teams.

The LEGO Foundation and LEGO Education will provide $150,000 towards the
costs of robotic parts and materials for eligible teams, while FIRST will
contribute $100,000 towards registration and additional costs for these
newly formed teams. These grants were designed to encourage students to
progress from one level in FIRST to the next. The grants are only
available to U.S. teams on a first come, first served basis and are
available immediately.

“It’s clear that students who advance through our K-12 family of FIRST
robotics programs have a competitive advantage, both in their skill
sets and their opportunities for higher education,” said Dean Kamen, FIRST
founder and president of DEKA Research & Development Corp. “In this
time of graduations, we’re thrilled that FIRST and The LEGO
Foundation have found the means to promote and reward students who
continue their journey in science and technology through FIRST.”

“The LEGO Foundation and LEGO Education are excited to continue
supporting the growing efforts of the FIRST robotics programs,”
said Stephan Turnipseed, president, LEGO Education North America.
“Through strong collaboration with partners like FIRST, we are
inspiring children through hands on learning to create the future
problem solvers of tomorrow.”

For more information on the two Graduation Grant programs, and the grant
application process, please visit
www.usfirst.org/ftc/grow.

About The LEGO®
Foundation

The LEGO® Foundation is a non-profit organization that holds
25% of the LEGO Group shares. In The LEGO Foundation, we believe that
all children have the right to play and learn. Under the headline "We
Care and Share" we make LEGO products accessible and applicable for less
privileged children around the world through our donation programs such
as LEGO Charity, Care for Education and Care for LEGO Local Communities.
The work of The LEGO Foundation is based on the LEGO Brand Framework and
like the LEGO Group, our mission is to “Inspire and develop the builders
of tomorrow”.

About LEGO Education

Since 1980, LEGO Education (LEGOEducation.com) has delivered hands-on,
curriculum-based resources for teachers and students worldwide. LEGO
Education believes a hands-on, minds-on approach helps students actively
take ownership of the learning process and develop 21st-century skills
such as creative thinking and problem solving through real-life,
engaging experiences.

About FIRST®

Accomplished inventor
Dean
Kamen founded
FIRST®(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989
to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people.
Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative
programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while
motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology,
and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500
companies and nearly $15 million in college scholarships, the
not-for-profit organization hosts the
FIRST®
Robotics Competition (FRC® ) and
FIRST®
Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for high-school
students,
FIRST®
LEGO® League (FLL® ) for 9 to
14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S., Canada, and Mexico)
and
Junior
FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®)
for 6 to 9-year-olds.
Gracious
Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages
high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects
individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to
www.usfirst.org.

FIRST®, the FIRST® logo, FIRST®
Tech Challenge, and FTC®, are registered trademarks of the
United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology (FIRST®). LEGO® is a registered
trademarks of The LEGO Group. FIRST <